Mayor's race pits three commissioners

There won't be a frantic campaign for mayor in St. Augustine. It's more of a stroll than a race.

All three candidates -- Mark Alexander, Susan Burk and Bill Lennon -- are sitting city commissioners and meet together twice a month at meetings, and occasionally at workshops.

There won't be any mud slinging in this contest. They all know each other fairly well and whoever wins, at one point or another, each will need the others for support.

Burk and Lennon are also running for their City Commission seats. If either loses that race, it doesn't matter if they win the mayor's race, because they will be off the commission.

Alexander, in the middle of his second term, is the only one who is running for mayor alone. He said he has the experience and knowledge to be mayor.

''A lot of people don't realize the amount of time, effort and work it takes,'' he said. ''But I always say to people that if we all thought the same, there wouldn't be five of us up there.''

Alexander, who owns the White Lion Cafe and Pub, 20 Cuna St., said his priorities include improving state historical properties the city manages and making them support themselves.

''Without a living history museum, we don't really have a historical St. Augustine,'' he said. ''This gets the city focused. It's holding its head above water (financially), but there are things we need to do to get it to support itself.''

He also favors a continued strong annexation policy, lowered taxes and more efficient city government.

''I live in this town and pay taxes,'' Alexander said. ''It's important we keep annexing. I want my taxes and utilities lower. I speak my mind, (but) I'm a consensus builder. You can't get anything done alone.''

Burk, an attorney in private practice, is running for a second term for Seat 1 against businessman Michael Cirillo.

She said she has the education and experience to be mayor.

''I want to continue the quality of life here,'' she said. ''Because I am an attorney, I'm used to speaking in public and know how to conduct meetings. They will be much more efficient and keep people on the facts and avoid irrelevancies. I can use the ordinances, codes and laws and apply them to city issues.''

Like Alexander, Burk believes annexation is the key to St. Augustine's growth and financial stability, but says the city staff isn't used to dealing with large developments.

''Buffers (have come to) mean nothing,'' she said. ''We've been settled in our boundaries too long. We need to educate Planning and Zoning and review our ordinances and comprehensive plan to ensure we're covered for the development we're seeking and that we know what we're doing.''

Burk said there has been talk of merging county and city fire departments.

''There's no way I would support that,'' she said. ''I don't see any way that it would not reduce the level of service to St. Augustine. The city has the best police and fire service available.''

Lennon is running for City Commission Seat 2 against activist and musician Roger Jolley.

''It's always been my goal to be mayor,'' Lennon said. ''I've worked hard, and my history shows that I'm prepared for it.''

He said he's experienced with the city's budget and communicates well with St. Augustine residents, his colleagues and city staff members.

''I'd like to think I'm a people person. I think I'd be an excellent mayor,'' he said.

Some special projects on his agenda include enhancing the city's skyline, continuing to preserve historical properties and bringing carriage horses back to the Plaza de la Constitucion.

He said transportation and parking are two other issues he is closely monitoring.

Lennon was elected president of the Northeast Florida League of Cities this week and said a city's mayor must take charge to get things done.

''I've been doing that for six years. I don't just sit in my seat,'' he said. ''I was chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board for two years and am involved with the community. I would serve with dignity and honor.''